2 Samuel 3 – Bible | Equip God’s People

World English Bible Classic

^[1] Now there was long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker. ^[2] Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; ^[3] and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; ^[4] and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; ^[5] and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. ^[6] While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house. ^[7] Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” ^[8] Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman! ^[9] God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him: ^[10] to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.” ^[11] He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him. ^[12] Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, “Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel around to you.” ^[13] David said, “Good. I will make a treaty with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” ^[14] David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” ^[15] Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish. ^[16] Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go! Return!” and he returned. ^[17] Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you. ^[18] Now then do it! For Yahweh has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’ ” ^[19] Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin; and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin. ^[20] So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast. ^[21] Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. ^[22] Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid and brought in a great plunder with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. ^[23] When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.” ^[24] Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is already gone? ^[25] You know Abner the son of Ner. He came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.” ^[26] When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn’t know it. ^[27] When Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother. ^[28] Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. ^[29] Let it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.” ^[30] So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. ^[31] David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn in front of Abner.” King David followed the bier. ^[32] They buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at Abner’s grave; and all the people wept. ^[33] The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies? ^[34] Your hands weren’t bound, and your feet weren’t put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell.”All the people wept again over him. ^[35] All the people came to urge David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else, until the sun goes down.” ^[36] All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased all the people. ^[37] So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner. ^[38] The king said to his servants, “Don’t you know that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel? ^[39] I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”

King James Version

^[1] Now there was longH752 warH4421 between the houseH1004 of SaulH7586 and the houseH1004 of David:H1732 but DavidH1732 waxedH1980(QalActPtc) strongerH2390 and stronger,H2390 and the houseH1004 of SaulH7586 waxedH1980(QalActPtc) weakerH1800 and weaker.H1800 ^[2] And unto DavidH1732 were sonsH1121 bornH3205(NiphImpf/Qere) in Hebron:H2275 and his firstbornH1060 was Amnon,H550 of AhinoamH293 the Jezreelitess;H3159 ^[3] And his second,H4932 Chileab,H3609 of AbigailH26 the wifeH802 of NabalH5037 the Carmelite;H3761 and the third,H7992 AbsalomH53 the sonH1121 of MaacahH4601 the daughterH1323 of TalmaiH8526 kingH4428 of Geshur;H1650 ^[4] And the fourth,H7243 AdonijahH138 the sonH1121 of Haggith;H2294 and the fifth,H2549 ShephatiahH8203 the sonH1121 of Abital;H37 ^[5] And the sixth,H8345 Ithream,H3507 by EglahH5698 David’sH1732 wife.H802 These were bornH3205(PualPerf) to DavidH1732 in Hebron.H2275 ^[6] And it came to pass, while there was warH4421 between the houseH1004 of SaulH7586 and the houseH1004 of David,H1732 that AbnerH74 made himself strongH2388(HithPtc) for the houseH1004 of Saul.H7586 ^[7] And SaulH7586 had a concubine,H6370 whose nameH8034 [was] Rizpah,H7532 the daughterH1323 of Aiah:H345 and [Ishbosheth] saidH559(QalImpf) to Abner,H74 Wherefore hast thou gone inH935(QalPerf) unto my father’sH1 concubine?H6370 ^[8] Then was AbnerH74 veryH3966 wrothH2734(QalImpf) for the wordsH1697 of Ishbosheth,H378 and said,H559(QalImpf) [Am] I a dog’sH3611 head,H7218 which against JudahH3063 do shewH6213(QalImpf) kindnessH2617 this dayH3117 unto the houseH1004 of SaulH7586 thy father,H1 to his brethren,H251 and to his friends,H4828 and have not deliveredH4672(HiphPerf) thee into the handH3027 of David,H1732 that thou chargestH6485(QalImpf) me to dayH3117 with a faultH5771 concerning this woman?H802 ^[9] So doH6213(QalImpf) GodH430 to Abner,H74 and more also,H3254(HiphImpf) except, as the LordH3068 hath swornH7650(NiphPerf) to David,H1732 even so I doH6213(QalImpf) to him; ^[10] To translateH5674(HiphInf) the kingdomH4467 from the houseH1004 of Saul,H7586 and to set upH6965(HiphInf) the throneH3678 of DavidH1732 over IsraelH3478 and over Judah,H3063 from DanH1835 even to Beersheba.H884 ^[11] And he couldH3201(QalPerf) not answerH7725(HiphInf) AbnerH74 a wordH1697 again, because he fearedH3372(QalInf) him. ^[12] And AbnerH74 sentH7971(QalImpf) messengersH4397 to DavidH1732 on his behalf, saying,H559(QalInf) Whose [is] the land?H776 sayingH559(QalInf) [also], MakeH3772(QalImpv) thy leagueH1285 with me, and, behold, my handH3027 [shall be] with thee, to bring aboutH5437(HiphInf) all IsraelH3478 unto thee. ^[13] And he said,H559(QalImpf) Well;H2896 I will makeH3772(QalImpf) a leagueH1285 with thee: but oneH259 thingH1697 I requireH7592(QalActPtc) of thee, that is,H559(QalInf) Thou shalt not seeH7200(QalImpf) my face,H6440 except thou firstH6440 bringH935(HiphInf) MichalH4324 Saul’sH7586 daughter,H1323 when thou comestH935(QalInf) to seeH7200(QalInf) my face.H6440 ^[14] And DavidH1732 sentH7971(QalImpf) messengersH4397 to IshboshethH378 Saul’sH7586 son,H1121 saying,H559(QalInf) DeliverH5414(QalImpv) [me] my wifeH802 Michal,H4324 which I espousedH781(PielPerf) to me for an hundredH3967 foreskinsH6190 of the Philistines.H6430 ^[15] And IshboshethH378 sent,H7971(QalImpf) and tookH3947(QalImpf) her from [her] husband,H376 [even] from PhaltielH6409 the sonH1121 of Laish.H3889(Qere) ^[16] And her husbandH376 wentH3212(QalImpf) with her along weepingH1980(QalInf) behindH310 her to Bahurim.H980 Then saidH559(QalImpf) AbnerH74 unto him, Go,H3212(QalImpv) return.H7725(QalImpv) And he returned.H7725(QalImpf) ^[17] And AbnerH74 had communicationH1961(QalPerf) with the eldersH2205 of Israel,H3478 saying,H559(QalInf) Ye soughtH1245(PielPtc) for DavidH1732 in timesH8543 pastH8032 [to be] kingH4428 over you: ^[18] Now then doH6213(QalImpv) [it]: for the LordH3068 hath spokenH559(QalPerf) of David,H1732 saying,H559(QalInf) By the handH3027 of my servantH5650 DavidH1732 I will saveH3467(HiphInf) my peopleH5971 IsraelH3478 out of the handH3027 of the Philistines,H6430 and out of the handH3027 of all their enemies.H341(QalActPtc) ^[19] And AbnerH74 also spakeH1696(PielImpf) in the earsH241 of Benjamin:H1144 and AbnerH74 wentH3212(QalImpf) also to speakH1696(PielInf) in the earsH241 of DavidH1732 in HebronH2275 all that seemedH5869 goodH2896 to Israel,H3478 and that seemed goodH5869 to the whole houseH1004 of Benjamin.H1144 ^[20] So AbnerH74 cameH935(QalImpf) to DavidH1732 to Hebron,H2275 and twentyH6242 menH582 with him. And DavidH1732 madeH6213(QalImpf) AbnerH74 and the menH582 that [were] with him a feast.H4960 ^[21] And AbnerH74 saidH559(QalImpf) unto David,H1732 I will ariseH6965(QalImpf) and go,H3212(QalImpf) and will gatherH6908(QalImpf) all IsraelH3478 unto my lordH113 the king,H4428 that they may makeH3772(QalImpf) a leagueH1285 with thee, and that thou mayest reignH4427(QalPerf) over all that thine heartH5315 desireth.H183(PielImpf) And DavidH1732 sentH7971 AbnerH74 away;H7971(PielImpf) and he wentH3212(QalImpf) in peace.H7965 ^[22] And, behold, the servantsH5650 of DavidH1732 and JoabH3097 cameH935(QalActPtc) from [pursuing] a troop,H1416 and brought inH935(HiphPerf) a greatH7227 spoilH7998 with them: but AbnerH74 [was] not with DavidH1732 in Hebron;H2275 for he had sent him away,H7971(PielPerf) and he was goneH3212(QalImpf) in peace.H7965 ^[23] When JoabH3097 and all the hostH6635 that [was] with him were come,H935(QalPerf) they toldH5046(HiphImpf) Joab,H3097 saying,H559(QalInf) AbnerH74 the sonH1121 of NerH5369 cameH935(QalPerf) to the king,H4428 and he hath sent him away,H7971(PielImpf) and he is goneH3212(QalImpf) in peace.H7965 ^[24] Then JoabH3097 cameH935(QalImpf) to the king,H4428 and said,H559(QalImpf) What hast thou done?H6213(QalPerf) behold, AbnerH74 cameH935(QalActPtc) unto thee; why [is] it [that] thou hast sent him away,H7971(PielPerf) and he is quiteH1980(QalInf) gone?H3212(QalImpf) ^[25] Thou knowestH3045(QalPerf) AbnerH74 the sonH1121 of Ner,H5369 that he cameH935(QalPerf) to deceiveH6601(PielInf) thee, and to knowH3045(QalInf) thy going outH4161 and thy coming in,H4126(Qere) and to knowH3045(QalInf) all that thou doest.H6213(QalActPtc) ^[26] And when JoabH3097 was come outH3318(QalImpf) from David,H1732 he sentH7971(QalImpf) messengersH4397 afterH310 Abner,H74 which brought him againH7725(HiphImpf) from the wellH953 of Sirah:H5626 but DavidH1732 knewH3045(QalPerf) [it] not. ^[27] And when AbnerH74 was returnedH7725(QalImpf) to Hebron,H2275 JoabH3097 took him asideH5186(HiphImpf) inH413 the gateH8179 to speakH1696(PielInf) with him quietly,H7987 and smoteH5221(HiphImpf) him there under the fifthH2570 [rib], that he died,H4191(QalImpf) for the bloodH1818 of AsahelH6214 his brother.H251 ^[28] And afterwardH310 when DavidH1732 heardH8085(QalImpf) [it], he said,H559(QalImpf) I and my kingdomH4467 [are] guiltlessH5355 before the LordH3068 forH5704 everH5769 from the bloodH1818 of AbnerH74 the sonH1121 of Ner:H5369 ^[29] Let it restH2342(QalImpf) on the headH7218 of Joab,H3097 and on all his father’sH1 house;H1004 and let there not failH3772(NiphImpf) from the houseH1004 of JoabH3097 one that hath an issue,H2100(QalActPtc) or that is a leper,H6879(PualPtc) or that leanethH2388(HiphPtc) on a staff,H6418 or that fallethH5307(QalActPtc) on the sword,H2719 or that lackethH2638 bread.H3899 ^[30] So JoabH3097 and AbishaiH52 his brotherH251 slewH2026(QalPerf) Abner,H74 because he had slainH4191(HiphPerf) their brotherH251 AsahelH6214 at GibeonH1391 in the battle.H4421 ^[31] And DavidH1732 saidH559(QalImpf) to Joab,H3097 and to all the peopleH5971 that [were] with him, RendH7167(QalImpv) your clothes,H899 and girdH2296(QalImpv) you with sackcloth,H8242 and mournH5594(QalImpv) beforeH6440 Abner.H74 And kingH4428 DavidH1732 [himself] followedH1980(QalActPtc) the bier.H4296 ^[32] And they buriedH6912(QalImpf) AbnerH74 in Hebron:H2275 and the kingH4428 lifted upH5375(QalImpf) his voice,H6963 and weptH1058(QalImpf) at the graveH6913 of Abner;H74 and all the peopleH5971 wept.H1058(QalImpf) ^[33] And the kingH4428 lamentedH6969(PoleImpf) over Abner,H74 and said,H559(QalImpf) DiedH4191(QalImpf) AbnerH74 as a foolH5036 dieth?H4194 ^[34] Thy handsH3027 [were] not bound,H631(QalPasPtc) nor thy feetH7272 putH5066(HophPerf) into fetters:H5178 as a man fallethH5307(QalInf) beforeH6440 wickedH5766 men,H1121 [so] fellestH5307(QalPerf) thou. And all the peopleH5971 weptH1058(QalInf) againH3254(HiphImpf) over him. ^[35] And when allH3605 the peopleH5971 cameH935(QalImpf) to causeH1262 DavidH1732 to eatH1262(HiphInf) meatH3899 while it was yetH5750 day,H3117 DavidH1732 sware,H7650(NiphImpf) saying,H559(QalInf) So doH6213(QalImpf) GodH430 to me, and more also,H3254(HiphImpf) if I tasteH2938(QalImpf) bread,H3899 or oughtH3972 else, tillH6440 the sunH8121 be down.H935(QalInf) ^[36] And all the peopleH5971 took noticeH5234(HiphPerf) [of it], and it pleasedH3190(QalImpf) them: as whatsoever the kingH4428 didH6213(QalPerf) pleasedH5869 all the people.H5971 ^[37] For all the peopleH5971 and all IsraelH3478 understoodH3045(QalImpf) that dayH3117 that it was not of the kingH4428 to slayH4191(HiphInf) AbnerH74 the sonH1121 of Ner.H5369 ^[38] And the kingH4428 saidH559(QalImpf) unto his servants,H5650 KnowH3045(QalImpf) ye not that there is a princeH8269 and a great manH1419 fallenH5307(QalPerf) this dayH3117 in Israel?H3478 ^[39] And I [am] this dayH3117 weak,H7390 though anointedH4886(QalPasPtc) king;H4428 and these menH582 the sonsH1121 of ZeruiahH6870 [be] too hardH7186 for me: the LordH3068 shall rewardH7999(PielImpf) the doer of evilH6213(QalActPtc) according to his wickedness.H7451

Byzantine Greek New Testament

Not available in Byzantine Greek New Testament